Christmas - Part I

Given my previous history of setting up a multi-part series and then failing to deliver, I titled this post with some trepidation. However, I feel I cannot fully describe my joyous winter break in only one blog entry, and must proceed in this manner. This is your warning, I cannot be held responsible for dashed hopes.

Christmas break was such a lovely reprieve after a hectic school quarter. I brought some final assignments with me to finish grading and may not have started packing until 11:30 pm the night before my morning flight, but all was forgotten as soon as I got back to the farm. As always, the fun started before I even left the airport.

Why I am always excited to come home...

Seattle has softened me, and I was worried that I was going to find Nebraska cold, snowy, and unpleasant, so I was very excited that it was sunny and warm for almost all of my stay. It was even warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, although not without some "home clothes", or layers that only get worn when on the farm.

In the battle of young versus old, youth prevailed!

Spending time with the family was great, and I was quite shocked to realize that it had been an entire year since I had been home and seen any of the cousins. Of course, within 10 minutes the mocking stories about high school shenanigans began and I questioned whether it had only been a year since I heard it last.

Getting ready to pass the food.

In the end, it's never enough time to fully catch up for a year.

I think these are the more distant cousins...

During the 10 days I was home, I filled up on semmel, zweiback, valentinos, runza, pork loins, flincent, eggnog, and klups. So yummy.

Henry also made his first visit to the farm, and first to Nebraska in general, checking another state off his list. More to come in part ii. Maybe.

Survivor

Half-Marathon

Last Sunday, the weekend of Thanksgiving, I ran my first half-marathon. Because of school demands, I hadn't been able to train at a level I would have liked, so I was kinda nervous going into it. The day was typical Seattle: gray and rainy. But I was very grateful that it was only drizzling and not pouring. Yes, that's a reason to celebrate in this city.

Mile 1 and 13 were pretty exciting - everything else in between kinda blurred together. I ate my first gu, which I was scared would taste horrible but was in fact quite tasty. Rest assured, I also took advantage of the gummi bears (mile 4) and krispy kremes (mile 11) being handed out along the course, so I was well fueled.

I loved all the supporters lining the course. Some of my favorite signs include "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon" and "go, stranger, go!". I felt very encouraged.

And then, before you even realize you've been running over 2 hours straight, the finish line!

Rounding the last corner!

Don't be fooled by the runner's clothes....the real evidence is in those lining the course. Umbrellas, hoods, and winter coats were definitely called for.

I was really excited to get a "space blanket" upon completion. I think I look more exhausted than victorious. I was ready to eat and then nap....which I promptly did.

Champion!...er....Finisher!

 In the end it was a lot fun and I never would have done it without some peer pressure support.

I'm still wearing that medal...